I own Elfmon, her digivolved forms and their attacks. Any ressemblance to any made-up Digimon or attacks are purely fortuitous and accidental.
A Konoha-Tengu is a Japanese deity with a human-like form, feathered wings and light blond to white hair. Forget the long nose, I just wanted something close to Beelzemon…
Thoughts are italic, flashbacks and dreams are both italic and bold.
Chapter 5 : Meet The Tamer Team
Hope and Wizardmon discussed the responsibilities of tamers and Digimon. Wizardmon told her everything he knew about it. They talked for an hour and then, decided to go out for a walk. She asked Beelzemon if he wanted to come with.
- No, thanks. I'll just stay home and watch TV.
With that, he disappeared inside the house. She frowned and looked at Wizardmon.
- I can tell there's something wrong with him. What is it, Wizardmon? You know, I know you do. I'm not stupid.
He smiled weakly and gently grabbed her wrist.
- Come on, let's walk. I'll tell you what I know.
She sighed.
- So, what is it?
He looked at her.
- He's very worried about you because you're a tamer now.
She gave him an exasperated look.
- You already told me that. Tell me something I don't know.
He shrugged and she narrowed her eyes at him.
- Okay, you're right. There might be more to it, but that's not for me to tell.
They heard people talking and laughing. A bunch of kids were playing next to them. Her eyes widened when a girl walked up to her.
- Is that your Digimon partner?
Hope looked at her.
- Yeah, that's Wizardmon. You guys have Digimon too, huh?
The girl nodded.
- By the way, my name is Angel.
Hope shook hands with her.
- I'm hope.
Angel smiled.
- Come on, let me introduce you to the rest of the team so you can meet everyone.
Hope gave her a puzzled look.
- Team?
Angel nodded.
- We're tamers and digidestined. We went to the Digital World once or twice. We're fairly new to this whole thing. We teamed up to fight an evil Digimon, but we all ended up being friends. Come with me and meet everyone.
Hope was nervous.
- Wizardmon?
Wizardmon gave her a reassuring look.
- You're one of them and so am I. We're gonna need all the help we can get.
She nodded half-heartedly, trying to swallow the lump in her throat. Angel smiled and led them to the others.
- Hey, guys, let me introduce you to Hope here, she's a tamer too.
She pointed at a girl with brown hair and blue eyes.
- This is Victoire and her Digimon Tsukaimon.
One by one, the tamers and Digimon were introduced to Hope and Wizardmon and they said hi.
There was a boy with brown hair and green eyes named Stephen and his Digimon, a female Gaomon. Then a boy with brown hair and brown eyes named Jamal and his Digimon, Coronamon. Then a boy with black hair and dark blue eyes named Kory and his Digimon, Bearmon. And another boy with brown hair and brown eyes named Takao and his Digimon, Dorumon. Angel had fiery red hair and green eyes and her Digimon was Elfmon. Elfmon was beautiful. She had long silver hair, pointy ears, green eyes and pale skin. She was wearing a moss green outfit and brown boots. Wizardmon stared at her, then looked away, blushing all over his face.
Angel smiled.
- Victoire is French, Jamal is African American, Takao is Japanese and the rest of us are American, but we all speak Japanese and English. Very useful here in this country.
Hope ran a hand through her hair.
- So, you guys have been to the Digital World?
Kory turned to her.
- Only once or twice. What about you and Wizardmon?
She shook her head.
- No yet. But Wizardmon told me all about it. How long have you guys been tamers?
- Only two months. What about you?
She laughed nervously.
- Two days.
Victoire shrugged.
- Two days, two months… We're all amateurs here.
Hope sighed.
- I wonder what It's like, going to the Digital World?
Takao laughed.
- It's cool, but a tad scary.
Well hidden, Beelzemon was keeping an eye on Hope. He didn't like what he saw. She was in the company of other tamers and he knew the tamers were danger magnets. Panick filled him and he seriously thought about kidnapping her to take her away from all this. Wizardmon, the tamers and their Digimon, the Digital World, the Good fight… He felt the urge to protect her and keep her away from danger and potential threats.
"Don't be stupid. Kidnapping her is not gonna help. Yer just gonna make things worse fer her and both world. It'll do more ill than good. She can't walk away from this and neither can you. It's time ta fight again. Just like old times, when I used ta fight side by side with Ai and Mako. And I'll do them proud. Guess It's time ta kick some evil Digimon's butt."
Stephen, Victoire and Angel laughed. Kory was telling Hope a story.
- That's when Takao fell in that mud pool and…
Bearmon growled. Kory turned to him.
- What's wrong?
The Digimon bear lowered himself to the ground.
- I sense a Digimon nearby.
Unaware of what was going on, Beelzemon came out of his hiding place. The tamers tensed as they saw Beelzemon walking up to them. Victoire took her D-Ark.
- I can't get any data on this guy.
Angel looked determined.
- Who cares? Let's go, guys.
- Tsukaimon digivolve to… Darcmon!
- Bearmon digivolve to… Grizzlymon!
- Gaomon digivolve to… Gaogamon!
- Elfmon digivolve to… Magykmon!
- Coronamon digivolve to… Firamon!
- Dorumon digivolve to… Dorugamon!
Beelzemon couldn't move. He was paralyzed with fear and horror as past memories tormented him. His mind screamed in alarm.
"No! Not again! I don't want ta hurt anyone!"
- Flame Dive!
Wizardmon's eyes widened.
- WATCH OUT!
Beelzemon dodged the attack.
"Somebody wake me from this nightmare! Will it ever end?"
Magykmon's staff glowed.
- Starlight Spell!
Beelzemon got out of the way.
- Dancing Sword!
He took a step backward.
- Uggh! That hurts…
- STOP IT!!!
"Those words! Jeri? No, It's Hope. Hope!"
Hope ran to him, not caring about the danger.
- Hope, stay where you are! Don't come any closer!
She didn't listen to him.
- NO! STOP IT! DON'T HURT HIM!
Tears splattered down her cheeks. The Digimon stopped and reverted back to their Rookie form. Kory turned to her.
- You know him?
She nodded.
- He's my foster father.
Stephen's eyes widened.
- Your foster father is a Digimon?
She clenched her fists.
- Yeah, so? You've got a problem with that?
Beelzemon gave her a warning look. Legally, he wasn't her foster father. He hoped she wouldn't tell them too much and to his relief, she didn't. He knew the human law would never allow a Digimon to adopt a human child. He feared that the authorities would separate them given the chance.
"I'd like ta see them try! I won't let them take her away. If it comes ta this, we'll run away. Stupid human law. Why can't they just do what's right? With all the orphan children It's a shame they wouldn't let Digimon adopt. I just know they wouldn't let me. And I don't need ta sign stupid papers ta properly take care of her. Hell will freeze over before I let them take her away."
- Beelzemon?
Hope was looking at him with concern on her tear-streaken face. He seemed worried.
- Are you all right?
She shook her head.
- I'm fine, but I should be asking this. Your hand is bleeding.
He looked down, embarrassed.
- It's just a scratch.
Furious, she turned to the tamers and clenched her fists.
- If I get my hands on you, you're gonna have a scratch too! Whatever you do to him happens to you too and then some. Got It?
Beelzemon's eyes widened.
"She really do care about me!?"
He gently squeezed her shoulder.
- Violence ain't gonna solve anything.
She looked at him.
- But…
He shook his head.
- No but. We're all allies here.
She couldn't keep the sarcasm out of her voice.
- Well, I didn't know allies were supposed to beat the living crap out of each other. Yay team!
He turned to the other tamers.
- You guys are amateurs.
Victoire snorted.
- What gave us away?
He smirked.
- Attacking a Digimon who didn't even threaten you.
They all look down in shame and mumbled a "sorry about that". Seeing that they were truly and sincerely repentant, Beelzemon nodded and gave them a reassuring smile. Takao was looking at Beelzemon with awe and wonder. Hope thought she heard him say "Konoha-Tengu", but she wasn't sure. Victoire took a step forward.
- What kind of Digimon are you?
He smirked again.
- Use your D-Ark, you, silly girl.
- I tried. I can't get any data on you.
He shook his head.
- Try again.
She look at her D-Ark.
- Stupid, worthless piece of junk. Inutile.
She accidentally dropped it. His eyes widened.
- Hey, careful. You don't want ta break it.
She picked it up.
- Oh! Here it is. Beelzemon Blast Mode, Demon Lord type Digimon, Mega level Virus. Special attacks are Corona Blaster and Corona Destroyer.
- Konoha-Tengu!
- Demon Lord?
- Mega?
- Blast Mode?
They all look at him with wide eyes, murmuring something. He gave them a reassuring smile.
- It's all right, kids. Nothing ta be afraid of.
Then he saw Hope looking at him with wide eyes too. He gave her a puzzled look.
- What? Do I have something on my face? Or is one of my feathers crooked?
She shook her head.
- Demon? I thought you were an angel.
- Well, technically, I am an angel. A dark, fallen one.
- I don't understand. I thought demons were supposed to corrupt human souls and feed on them. Why taking me in? Why taking care of me?
Trying to keep the panic and the pain from showing in his voice, he answered her question.
- I'm a demon-like Digimon, not an actual demon like the ones depicted in your religions. I was classified as one because I was designed ta look like one. And darkness doesn't always mean evil. Were it da case, all humans and Digimon would be evil, because we all have a dark side.
- Oh. Okay, I understand.
He breathed a sigh of relief. Stephen took a step forward.
- What are we gonna do? We're amateurs. We're not prepared for what's coming.
Angel gave him an exasperated look.
- And just exactly what is coming?
Stephen glared at her.
- How should I know?
Angel snorted.
- My hero.
Kory started yelling at them that their quarrels were driving him crazy. Then Victoire glared at the lot of them.
- Bon, ça va! You're starting to get on my nerves!
Beelzemon held up his hands in a peaceful gesture.
- Kids! Kids! Fighting each other won't help!
They all turned to him. Jamal looked worried.
- And what do you suggest we do?
Beelzemon smiled.
- Well, It just so happens that I have friends who are former tamers. We fought the D-Reaper together. I guess you've heard about it.
They nodded. Takao looked at him.
- Everybody know the story. People are still talking about it. A knight Digimon, a Machine Digimon and a fox goddess fought a highly dangerous computer program intented on deleting everything. They're also talking about a Digimon who nearly died trying to save a girl held captive by the D-Reaper.
Beelzemon turned to look away and tried to swallow the painful lump forming in his throat. It was a struggle just to hold back the tears that threatened to burst forth.
"Can I go through one damn day without being reminded of da past?"
- Beelzemon?
It was Hope. He turned to face her and saw worry in her eyes.
- Are you all right?
He forced a smile on his face.
- Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?
She gave him an incredulous look.
"Please, Hope, just drop it. Please…"
Jamal cleared his throat.
- Your former tamer friends, can they help us?
Uneasy, Beelzemon ran a hand through his spiky hair.
- They retired from that kind of life, but I'm sure they'll do everything they can ta prepare ya for what's ta come.
Angel shook her head in exasperation.
- Is there anyone who can tell us what's coming?
The fallen angel gave her an apologetic look.
- As Wizardmon said, most of da time, we don't even know what we're up against. I can arrange a meeting with my friends. I'll go and talk ta them. Which one of you is da leader of da team?
They pushed Angel forward.
- She is!
He nodded.
- Give me your address and as soon as my friends are ready ta meet ya, I'll pay ya a visit ta tell ya when and where.
She gave him a stern look.
- Fine. Just make sure you don't scare my parents off.
"Am I really that scary? When I first warp-digivolved to Beelzemon in front of Ai and Mako's mom, she totally freaked out."
He smiled.
- I'll do my best.
Tsukaimon jumped on her tamer's shoulder.
- Don't worry, everything is gonna be all right, Victoire.
Coronamon nodded.
- Beelzemon sure knows what he's doing.
Dorumon yawned.
- I suggest we go home. I could use a nap.
Beelzemon was nervous. He had not seen his friends a lot in the past ten years.
"Those kids need tamer training. They must be prepared for what's to come. Da Digital World is a very dangerous place. I don't want ta see them get hurt, especially Hope. I couldn't bear it if she got hurt."
He explained the situation to Takato who contacted the others and they scheduled a meeting for the next day. Takato looked at Beelzemon.
- So how have you been?
The fallen angel ran a hand through his hair and tried to look nonchalant.
- Never been better. Why?
Guilmon and Calumon came crashing through the door.
- I think Calumon lost the ball, Takatomon.
Calumon's ears shrank.
- I didn't mean to.
Takato smiled.
- It's all right, Calumon. I'm sure you'll find it.
Calumon jumped on Beelzemon's shoulder.
- You came to visit! Yay!
Beelzemon smiled.
- Hey, there, little fella.
Guilmon grinned.
- It's nice to see you again, friend.
Beelzemon smirked.
- What have you been up to, Pineapple-Head? Eating all the bread in Tokyo?
Takato burst out laughing. Guilmon, Calumon and Beelzemon joined in the laughter. Takato looked at Beelzemon.
"I've never seen him laugh like that. He should do that more often."
Jeri appeared in the door frame.
- Takato, Darling, I'm home.
Beelzemon's laughter died and his smile vanished abruptly. She turned to him.
- It's nice to see you, Beelzemon. It's been a while.
He ran a hand through his spiky hair. It was a nervous tick he had developed over the past few days. Jeri was his friend, but he still felt uncomfortable around her. He still couldn't forgive himself for what he'd done to her.
- Hey… hum… hi…
She smiled.
- Will you stay for dinner?
He stood up and walked over to the door.
- I'm sorry, but I must go. I have ta tell da leader of da team we're meeting tomorrow. See ya guys.
He left. Jeri gave Takato a puzzled look.
- What's happening tomorrow?
He smiled.
- Tomorrow we trained the next generation of tamers.
Beelzemon was lying on his bed, starring up at the ceiling. Unable to sleep, he went to the living room and watch TV.
"I hate it when I can't sleep, I just hate it."
An hour later, he let himself fall over the bed as exhaustion caught up with him.
"I'm gonna enjoy hearing you scream."
"I don't know who you are, but I do know you're being used. This power you've been given, is it worth hurting these children to keep it?"
"You don't know anything!"
"To have power is not to be strong. You see, I know that better than anyone."
"Uh, Leomon…"
"Do what you must Beelzemon, but I will not let you hurt these children!"
"AAARRRGGG!!!"
"NOOOOOOO!"
"Why can't you see? Why won't you try to understand the truth?"
"No, to have power is to be strong. I'll keep loading data 'til no one can stop me! No one! No ooooone!!!"
"And now, no one can take me! I am invincible!"
"This is too easy. Say goodbye, Pineapple-Head…"
"This is where it ends."
"How could I have lost? I was supposed to be invincible. What are you waiting for? Go on, do it."
"No."
"Do it!"
"Goodbye, Beelzemon."
"STOP IT!!!"
"He deserves this, you know that."
"Please, don't do it. I couldn't bear it if anyone else got hurt, please."
"I don't get it. Why are you protecting me? I destroyed your partner."
"I hate you for doing that, but even if you died, it wouldn't bring Leomon back. It's my fault he's gone. And if you destroyed each other then that would be my fault too. I just can't let anyone else get hurt because of me."
"Take my hand, take it! I'm trying to help you, please!"
"You're not… Leomon."
He woke up with a start and sat bolt upright. Tears splattered down his cheeks. He covered his mouth with both hands, trying to muffle his sobs because he didn't want Hope to wake up and find him like this.
"Sooner or later, she's gonna find out. They're all gonna find out."
Takato smiled.
- what you gotta know about Digimon is how important they are. Your Digimon is not only your partner, he or she is the best friend you'll ever have. As partners, humans and Digimon must help each other out. You will fight side by side against evil Digimon, but you won't get stronger if you don't try to understand your partner. Now, let's be clear about this. Digimon aren't only packets of data, they're living creatures just like us. Don't think for a second that they don't have feelings and emotions.
Beelzemon looked bored.
"Yada yada yada… feelings… yada yada yada… emotions. He might be right, but I hate the mushy stuff part…"
Rika smiled.
- And you Digimon, you must do your best to help your tamer.
Beelzemon couldn't keep the sarcasm out of his voice.
- Read the training manual. How to turn Digimon into obedient pets. With a cookie and a pat on the head. And if you want to please your human, roll over on your back and try to look cute.
They looked shocked. Takato stood up.
- Beelzemon!
The fallen angel seemed frustrated.
- All right! All righ! I'm sorry, okay? It's just… I hate this word, "tamer". It sounds so… crude! As we were nothing but pets.
Rika looked at him.
- We didn't name ourselves. I don't know who decided we were to be called "tamers", but It wasn't us. And you know as well as we do that we don't don't treat like pets. You are our best friends. I thought you already knew that.
He looked her straight in the eyes.
- I do, It's just… Oh, forget it.
Lopmon walked over to Beelzemon.
- Is that true, that you are Hope's foster father?
Beelzemon's eyes widened.
- Who told you that?
Lopmon pointed at the French tamer.
- She did.
He glared at Victoire and she gulped nervously.
- Yes, It's true. I am her foster father.
Terriermon sniggered.
- A daddy? And to a human nonetheless. The big bad Demon Lord turned into a softie? Aww, cute.
Henry glared at him.
- Terriermon!
Beelzemon stood up, growled and clenched his fists.
- Shut up, you stupid bunny! Don't talk about things you don't understand! One more word, I dare you. I'd enjoy flushing you down the toilet!
Terriermon shrugged.
- Queue up. Renamon is next. She hates me because I turned her down for Lopmon.
Rika shook her head.
- Don't say that Terriermon. You're her friend, she'll get over it. Beelzemon, why didn't you tell us?
Beelzemon looked embarrassed.
- I was gonna tell you. It's just… Yeah, I'm her foster father, not legally though.
Takato smiled.
Oh, I understand. You have nothing to worry about, Beelzemon. We won't let anyone take her away.
The fallen angel nodded.
- Thanks. It means a lot to me.
Henry punched his shoulder.
- Hey. What are friends for?
Hope looked at Jeri.
- Can I have some water?
Jeri nodded.
- Sure. Follow me.
Hope followed her to the kitchen and sat at the table. Jeri smiled.
- So, he's your foster father, huh? You're one lucky girl. His heart is in the right place. Once, I found a clean coat about his size as we went to see Takato. I offered it to him. And he said no, he didn't need it, that he was quite warm. His zeal for the Good fight and the safety of children kept him warm. I know it sounds absurd, and were it from another mon you'd cry out: "Oh, what pitiful stuff" and dismiss it as mere enthusiasm. But with Beelzemon, you felt your heart glow. Wouldn't you say, Hope?
Hope smiled.
- You did indeed, Jeri.
They all went home to get some rest. They knew they would need it.